Lesson: Video Game Tycoons

Note: Remind students to focus on school-appropriate video games. Ask the class: Who likes to play video games? Why do you enjoy playing them? How do you think these games were created? Encourage students to consider the process of designing video games, such as brainstorming ideas, developing a prototype, and testing. Students may mention coding (the process of writing instructions for a computer). If not, ask them how a video game knows what to do when you press a button or move the mouse.

Play the video “What You Need to Know About Coding.” Then write the following words on the board: algorithm, coding language, binary code. Discuss connections between the terms. (An algorithm is a set of instructions that is translated into a coding language, which translates the instruction into binary code.) Hand out “Coding Challenge.” Have students write code and test it with a classmate. Discuss their experiences. Ask: Which part of the task was an algorithm? (the written steps) What did the symbols represent? (a coding language)

If you haven’t yet, ask students if they have played games on Roblox and their experiences with it. Read the article aloud. Discuss the sidebar “How to Build a Game” and how the sidebar connects to the design process and coding. Expand the discussion to possible safety concerns with online games. Ask students to describe any safety features on Roblox or other platforms. What actions do students take to stay safe? For more resources visit: www.connectsafely.org/educatorguides/ or www.commonsense.org/education/articles /23-great-lesson-plans-for-internet-safety.

Have students complete the “Fact or Opinion?” skills sheet. Discuss how both facts and opinions are part of the design process.

Have students complete the article’s “Check for Understanding.” Then distribute “Design a Video Game.” Have students use the steps to create their own video game. Let students discuss their games and receive peer feedback on how to improve them.

⇨ SEL: This lesson plan contains social-emotional learning support related to responsible decision-making.

⇨ VIDEO EXTRA: Watch a video about coding.